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For the Love of Hikes and Sights: 12 Best Hiking Trails in Pretoria
- Faerie Glen Nature Reserve Hadeda Trail
- Hedianga Farm Yellow Trail
- Rietvlei Dam Acacia Trail
- Pretoria National Botanical Garden Tree Route
- Friends of Magalies
- Wolwespruit Hiking Trail Orange Route
- Klapperkop Nature Reserve
- Hennops Hiking Trail & MTB Trail Krokodilberg Path
- Groenkloof Hiking Trail Red Route
- Moreleta Kloof Trail
- Wonderboom Hiking Trail
- Made on Earth Hiking Trail
Nature has been my go-to comfort whenever I feel stressed from my job or just overwhelmed by the city’s buzz. That’s why I always take time out to enjoy the sights (and sweat throughout it) through hiking on different trails. Whenever I go on a hike, I feel like a different person after it!
If you’re ready to break away from the stressful view of the city streets, here are my recommended hiking trails in Pretoria that I’ve explored and conquered!
Faerie Glen Nature Reserve Hadeda Trail
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Address: January Masilela Dr, Faerie Glen
Contact info: +27 123 5815 10
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Difficulty level: Moderate
The gorgeous Hadeda Trail is 2.4 kilometers long, and it took me around an hour and a half to complete. It was somewhat challenging to complete, as there were parts that were steep and dangerous. On the bright side, it was well-marked, so it was almost impossible to get lost.
If you want a bit of challenge, I suggest you take on the other two trails in the reserve which are longer. They’re the Acacia Trail (3.2 km) and the Kiepersol Trail (4.2 km).
| Pro tips: Packing a light picnic spread might be a good idea to fully enjoy the experience. The ideal months to visit this trail are July to August. This is a dog-friendly place, but remember to always clean up after your dog so hikers can enjoy the trail properly! |
Hedianga Farm Yellow Trail
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Address: Achilles Rd &, Ajax Ave, Olympus AH
Contact info: +27 825 5209 55
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Difficulty level: Moderate
I had fun exploring the Yellow Trail with my friends, and it’s just 10 kilometers with a mix of rockiness and sand. It took us two hours and a half to complete, and it was filled with stunning views that we had to stop and take pictures!
It’s also well-marked with visible signs, so you won’t have to worry about getting lost.
There are two other trails on this farm, which are the easy Green Trail (5 km) and the difficult Red Trail (15 km). I only suggest the Red Trail for those who work out religiously, otherwise you won’t have a great time!
| Pro tips: Bring a sunhat and sunscreen. Most of the hike is uncovered. There are entrance fees: ZAR 55 for adults and ZAR 35 for students. Kids 12 years and younger can hike for free. The ticket is valid for a week! Dogs are welcome as long as they’re on a leash. |
Rietvlei Dam Acacia Trail
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Address: 14 Game Reserve Ave, Rietvallei 377-Jr
Contact info: +27 12 358 1812
Operating hours:
Monday and Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The rest of the week: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Difficulty level: Easy
This Rietvlei Dam Acacia trail in Rietvlei Nature Reserve is for animal lovers. You get to see animals, like hippos and zebras, in their natural habitat!
It’s an 8-kilometer guided hike and is mostly flat, so it’s not that tough for those new to hiking. The only challenge was the wetland area wherein you had to balance on wood stumps to cross. It was fun, but I almost fell!
At the end of the hike, there’s a coffee shop where you can rest. If you want a little souvenir, there’s a shop that sells a variety of things from keychains to shirts.
| Pro tips: They don’t accept cash, so please carry your cards with you. There’s secure parking available by the entrance of the reserve. They only offer hikes with tour guides. |
Pretoria National Botanical Garden Tree Route
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Address: 2 Cussonia Ave, Brummeria
Contact info: +27 128 4350 71
Operating hours:
Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Difficulty level: Easy
Since it’s in a garden, the Pretoria National Botanical Garden Tree Route is an easy self-guided hike that’s just less than 1 kilometer long with mostly flat terrain. It only took me an hour to finish (I took a lot of photos at stops), and I barely broke a sweat.
The plants are labeled, and the trail has clear signs, so there’s no fear of getting lost in this garden.
This garden is more than a spot for just hiking and admiring trees, as it’s also known to house over 220 bird species!
| Pro tips: There’s an entrance fee of ZAR 55 for adults and ZAR 20 for scholars. There’s a cafe in the garden called Milkplum Cafe if you want to dine after hiking. The best months to visit are around October to April. |
Friends of Magalies
Address: 946 30th Ave, Rietfontein
Contact info: +27 760 8426 66
Operating hours: Open daily, 24 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
The Friends of Magalies trail is 8.5 kilometers long and takes at least two and a half hours to complete. I went there with friends, and we enjoyed the lush greenery and the wild birds that seem to frequent the area.
However, I highly recommend taking a map with you since the trail is poorly marked.
It’s a great place to walk, contemplate, and just let your thoughts roam. I just recommend going there with someone who knows how to read a map so you won’t get lost.
| Pro tips: Bring a big jug of water and some light snacks. You will get hungry! This trail is dog-friendly, so keep your pup on a leash. |
Wolwespruit Hiking Trail Orange Route
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Address: 501 Jochemus St, Erasmuskloof
Contact info: +27 120 5454 48
Operating hours:
Monday to Friday: 5:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday to Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Difficulty level: Moderate
If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, then the 6.5-kilometer Wolwespruit Hiking trail is for you. It’s a rocky terrain with a bit of climbing required, but we managed to complete it within an hour and a half of trekking. The trail was well-maintained, and there were markings that helped us effortlessly navigate the path.
There is an easier route in Wolwespruit, which is the Purple Trail. It’s only 4.5 kilometers long and relatively flat. If you have kids with you, I suggest taking this trail for a fun experience for everyone.
| Pro tips: There’s a day pass of ZAR 45 regardless of age. They sell day passes at the bike shop wherein you can rent bicycles. It’s a dog-friendly trail, but keep your pup on a leash while you’re there! There’s a cafe called Clay Cafe at the end of the trail. They also have a menu for your pup too! |
Klapperkop Nature Reserve
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Address: Johann Rissik Dr, Groenkloof 358-Jr
Contact info: +27 123 5817 57
Operating hours:
Monday to Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Difficulty level: Moderate
With its steep inclines and rocky terrain (not to mention the sweltering heat), the Klapperkop Nature Reserve trail is a perfect path to test your endurance. It’s 9 kilometers long, and it took us two and a half hours to complete. It’s marked clearly with bright green signs, which made it easy for us to navigate.
This trail is also a popular spot for mountain cycling, so make sure you keep an eye out for passing cyclists.
| Pro tips: There’s a secured parking space near the entrance for your vehicles. The first 2 kilometers of the trail are flat, so you have enough time to warm up before the rugged ascent. Bring a light picnic spread with you since there’s a spot along the trail with a great view. Remember to clean up after! |
Hennops Hiking Trail & MTB Trail Krokodilberg Path
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Address: R511
Contact info: 082 825 9205
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Difficulty level: Hard
One of the hardest trails I ever tried in Pretoria was Hennops’ Krokodilberg Path, which is 10 kilometers long and you need to cross a river to finish it.
It took me and my friends three and a half hours to complete it, and we were breathless! There were inclines and times I really had to climb. I don’t recommend this if you have low stamina.
However, there are easier trails in Hennops if you just want to bask in nature. There’s the Dassie Trail (2 kilometers) and the Zebra Trail (5 kilometers) available. On the Zebra Trail, you can expect to find game, such as zebras and impalas!
| Pro tips: There’s an entrance fee of ZAR 100 for adults and ZAR 50 for school children. There are amenities, such as a picnic spot and pool area, you can enjoy. However, there are no restaurants in the area, so pack some snacks when you visit. There are accommodations available if you want to spend the night, which is a great retreat for the family. |
Groenkloof Hiking Trail Red Route
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Address: Christina De Wit Ave, Groenkloof 358-Jr
Contact info: +27 123 5817 57
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Difficulty level: Easy
I took on the Groenkloof Hiking Trail with my brother and his family, so we took on their easiest route—the Red Trail, which is just 2.7 kilometers long with a bit of steepness and rockiness. Since we had kids with us, it took us around an hour and a half to complete.
There were lovely views on the way to the end, and the markings were clear, so you never have to worry about getting lost.
For longer routes and an extra challenge, there are two other trails in Groenkloof you can explore. There’s the White Trail (3.7 kilometers) and the Yellow Trail (10.5 kilometers) for athletic adults.
If you want more adventure, 4×4 trips and guided horseback trails are also available.
| Pro tips: There are entrance fees for different ages: Pensioners (60+): ZAR 37Adults (18-59): ZAR 58Children (7-17): ZAR 37Younger kids (3-6): ZAR 21The service here is cashless, so be prepared to pack your credit cards. For overnight stays, they require bookings two weeks in advance. |
Moreleta Kloof Trail
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Address: Helios St, Moreletapark
Contact info: [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Difficulty level: Easy
Moreleta Kloof Trail is a 3-kilometer stretch with a combination of slightly rocky terrain and steep areas. I completed it in just 1 hour and 10 minutes, and I wasn’t even that tired after it, which makes it a perfect trail for families with kids and the elderly.
It’s also easy to navigate since the nature conservation team of this trail provides a map for everyone who wants to tackle the path.
Unfortunately, this trail doesn’t allow picnicking, cycling, mountain biking, and other activities outside of walking and hiking.
| Pro tips: The nature conservation team won’t allow entries past 5:00 PM as a courtesy to their staff. There are no restaurants or stores nearby, so make sure to pack enough water. There’s a bird hide in the trail that’s accessible by wheelchair. |
Wonderboom Hiking Trail
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Address: 1 Lavender Rd, Annlin West
Contact info: +27 12 358 1792
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Difficulty level: Moderate
Wonderboom Hiking Trail is probably one of the unique ones on this list, as it’s a beautiful blend of nature and history. It’s dotted with ruins of the Fort Wonderboompoort, which was erected in 1897.
The entire trail is 3.9 kilometers, and I completed it within two hours (mainly because I took a lot of selfies along the way).
It’s quite difficult for those who’re not active since most of the trail is an incline, but you get rewarded with a stunning view of the city below. Another thing to note is that the signs on the trail aren’t reliable, so make sure to download a map beforehand.
| Pro tips: There’s a 1000-year-old tree on the property that’s a must-see. It’s located near the entrance, so take a snap before you go! There are entrance fees for different ages: Pensioners (60+): ZAR 31.50Adults (18-59): ZAR 47Children (7-17): ZAR 31.50Younger kids (3-6): ZAR 21The service here is cashless, so make sure to have your cards with you. |
Made on Earth Hiking Trail
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Address: Hennops River Valley, 86 Schurweberg Rd, Vlakplaats 354-Jr
Contact info: +27 825 3260 82
Operating hours: Saturday to Sunday: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Difficulty level: Moderate
Made on Earth is just 3.4 kilometers long with steep slopes, rocky terrain, and stunning views. My friends and I took the Yellow Trail, which led straight to the caves, and it was an amazing experience (just watch out for bats and frogs)! It took us two hours to complete.
There are three other trails you can explore if you want to see more than just the caves. There’s the Red Trail (a trail that goes past the caves), Blue Trail (follows Red but with another loop near the east side), and the Green Trail (a leisurely trail by the west of Hennops River).
| Pro tips: This place is dog-friendly, but keep your energetic pup on a leash. Booking is required for this hike, which can be done through their email. There is an entrance fee required, which is ZAR 100 for adults and ZAR 50 for children. There are parking areas available by the entrance of the facility. |
